Where to find the best hot chocolate in New York City. No matter your preference – dark, spicy, white chocolate – there is something for all tastes http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/dining/hot-chocolate-spots-around-new-york.html

People become motivated when they know an experience is about to be completed. Now, even psychologists are turning to chocolate to back up their analysis http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9073612/Why-the-last-chocolate-tastes-the-best.html

It is a fact. Chocolate with high flavanol content is beneficial for your brain. This was revealed in an independent study by Professor Andrew Scholey and Con Stough from the Center for Human Psychopharmacology at Swinburne University in Australia. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/16/idUS139683+16-Feb-2012+HUG20120216

William Curley’s new flagship store opens in London’s Pimlico Green. More than just a chocolatier shop, this is a spacious chocolate emporium that raises the bar for London chocolate shops and gives London even more of a claim to be a world class chocolate destination

Swiss giant Barry Callebaut, the choco-saurus of the chocolate world, has swallowed up Spanish fine chocolate maker Chocovic for an undisclosed sum. Pending European competition rulings, the deal should be complete by the end of the year

As if a visit to Paul A Young’s last Friday wasn’t enough, in the afternoon I went along to a promotional demo by William Curley for Amedei at Westmintser Kingsway College. I just about survived the three desserts and freshly made sea-salt caramels, with a little chocolate eating space to spare

The latest from Paul A Young, including new seasonal flavours, his summer range of chocolate ice cream and details of his forthcoming book. We also look at Paul’s ‘reimagining’ of a childhood confectionery classic

Today saw the much awaited opening of the old Shepherd Market Chocolate Society shop under it’s new William Curley branding. The shop has been completely stripped and refitted in Curley’s minimalist, Japanese influenced style, which does seem somewhat starker than the original and rather warmer Richmond shop. A few finishing touches are yet to happen ..

Managed to get a sneak preview of Paul A Youngs‘s new shop in The Royal Exchange in London’s City district this week. The shop’s just being refitted and will open next week, around 10 October, with an official launch during Chocolate Week. Great news for all you City types in need of some decent chocolates. ..

After a long summer out of action due to drain problems, Marc Demarquette‘s Fulham Road shop is back open again. We hear that drain problems caused by renovations kept the shop closed, but now Marc’s back with new products and has just been commissioned by Fortnum & Mason to create a collection of fresh hand-made ..